Checking amidarone

We’ve had an alert from colleagues at South Western Ambulance Service (SWAS) about an issue with their amiodarone ampoules.

Amiodarone affects the rhythm of someone’s heartbeat and is used to treat ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.

The amiodarone appeared to have small white particles in the solution, most likely down to overheating and the liquid crystallising.

Although here at EEAST we use pre-filled syringes (300mg/10ml) rather than ampoules, please still visually check the amiodarone before you use it. If you do find anything, please log it on Datix and send the unused ampoule to the Medicine Management team  at the Bedford office.

Published 20th August, 2015